Caterpillar Inc. has introduced a new series of Cat generator sets designed to deliver the lowest owning and operating costs in their class. The G3516H is the first of the H-Series product line now available for operation on natural gas fuel. Currently offered at 2027 kWe power output at 50Hz, the G3516H will include a similar 60Hz rating to be made available later in 2013.
Developed based on customer demands for improved return on investment for combined heat and power (CHP) and continuous electric power applications, the new generator sets can be used in industrial and commercial facilities such as hospitals, data centres, manufacturing plants, and greenhouses as well as in distributed generation power plants by electric utilities.
“This product will provide customers in all applications with exceptional value; helping them reduce energy costs while continuing to provide the high reliability customers expect of the G3500 family,” says Thoralf Lemke, Caterpillar electric power gas marketing manager.
The generator set’s industry-leading low owning and operating costs are achieved through an improved electrical efficiency, up to 44.7% (ISO, 1.0 p.f.), and several improvements that reduce maintenance costs up to 20%. Specifically, the G3516H offers reduced oil consumption and extended maintenance intervals. Through new product developments that include cuffed cylinder liners, updated valve stem sealing, and increased valve train lubrication, the number of maintenance events has been minimised. The major overhaul period of the G3516H is 80,000 hours with an in-frame maintenance interval at 40,000 hours.
The new H Series is built on the legacy of the proven G3500 generator set platform, now with over 8,000 units and 9,200 MWe of power installed worldwide. With over 35,000 test hours accumulated on the G3516H across multiple global locations, this generator set has demonstrated itself to be a robust power plant that is also very easy to install and commission.
“We were pleased how smoothly the startup went. We got an all-inclusive, worry-free package, and the planned 97% operating reliability was exceeded by a long shot,” remarks Caterpillar district energy customer and G3516H owner, Uwe Klingler of HBG based in Reutlingen, Germany.
Operational cost improvements are the result of the increased electrical efficiencies, which are achieved with a new long-stroke engine design that features high compression ratio steel pistons, and a high efficiency turbocharger and electrical generator. Performance is not compromised at higher altitudes and ambient conditions based on updated turbocharger trim options. For applications isolated from a primary electric utility, the G3516H offers industry-leading load acceptance capability.
The new generator set as well as the associated electrical and mechanical equipment required to complete a fully functional CHP plant are being sold and supported through the global Cat Dealer network. The generator set also features easy integration with a customer’s building management system, using a non-proprietary communication infrastructure from Caterpillar’s new EMCP4.3 generator set controller. The expanded set of features from Caterpillar also includes a complete gas train, package-mounted air cleaners, and simplified customer wiring connections.
Caterpillar
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